Bishops' Statements

Illinois’ six diocesan bishops occasionally make statements on current issues important to the Church, either as a group or as individuals. When the statement is issued as a group, it reflects the view of the Church statewide. Individual bishops may choose to make a statement on issues of specific interest to their dioceses.

Bishops across the nation have written letters to parishioners on the federal Department of Health and Human Services regulation mandating the coverage of abortion-inducing drugs, sterilization and contraceptives.

This unfair mandate violates conscience rights and completely disregards religious protections under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

Our Illinois bishops, including Cardinal George of Chicago, have issued letters to parishes throughout their dioceses to be read at Mass or inserted into bulletins. Read the bishops' letters by clicking here.

Like the Magi following the star to the hope, love and freedom embodied in the Holy Child, many immigrant families are on a similar journey as they seek hope in a new country.

During the next six months, each diocese in Illinois will share stories of immigrant families in their parishes and communities. These stories will be published in diocesan newspapers, bulletin inserts and on our website.

The bishops of the Belleville, Joliet and Springfield dioceses today dropped their lawsuit against the state of Illinois on behalf of Catholic Charities.

The bishops sued on the grounds of religious freedom, stating Catholic Charities was allowed to refrain from placing children with civil union couples in accord with its belief to place children with married couples.

A judge in August ruled Catholic Charities did not have property rights to state contracts.

The bishops sought a stay of the ruling in the appeals court, but were denied.